Romwel Anzures

Former UP Fighting Maroon and FEU-D Baby Tamaraw Mark Lopez. Photo from Facebook/MLO Basketball.

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1756552981389IMG_8131.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Former UP Fighting Maroon and FEU-D Baby Tamaraw Mark Lopez. Photo from Facebook/MLO Basketball."/>Former UP Fighting Maroon and FEU-D Baby Tamaraw Mark Lopez. Photo from Facebook/MLO Basketball.MANILA — Making a mark after an extensive high school and collegiate basketball career has always been the road map for most of the country’s stars of the sport.</div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/8/27/what-to-expect-in-the-uaap-season-88-opening-ceremony-1618">READ: What to expect in the UAAP Season 88 opening ceremony</a></div>Whether it is in the UAAP, the NCAA, or other amateur leagues, most standouts have moved on as players or coaches in the pro ranks, while some opt to leave overseas for better opportunities.However, the path is different for former University of the Philippines cager and Far Eastern University-Diliman star Mark Lopez.After his days as one of the Fighting Maroons’ bright spots in what was described as the “dark days” of State U, and one of the main men of the erstwhile Sebastian “Potit” de Vera-led Baby Tamaraws, Lopez turned his focus on helping move the game forward.“Since I was a player before, gusto ko namang mag give back para doon sa mga nagturo rin sa akin,” he told ABS-CBN News. “Kasi maraming changes sa akin eh, hindi lang sa basketball, pero sa buhay ko mismo.”Lopez himself looked to reach the PBA after his UAAP career, being chosen No.4 in the 5th round of the 2013 Rookie Draft by the Meralco Bolts in a class that was highlighted by the likes of Greg Slaughter, Ian Sangalang, Raymond Almazan, and Terrence Romeo.But things took a different turn for the former Fighting Maroons guard — one who was a part of the 1-13 UP “bonfire” squad of the late Ricky Dandan — as he instead took a break from the sport.Lopez shared that the mental side of the sport took a toll on him, which is why he opted to take a break for almost three years, only returning when new doors opened in the Pilipinas Commercial Basketball League in 2016, and eventually with Manila in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League in 2019.However, it was his reunion with de Vera in the Technological Institute of the Philippines — with Lopez serving as his former mentor’s assistant at that time — that served as a preview of what’s to come for the 6-foot, former PBA D-League guard.“Siya naging mentor ko ever since,” Lopez said of de Vera, who was also with UP during his time there. “Nag start yung relationship namin sa FEU, at lahat ng alam ko sa basketball, siya kanya galing kaya siya talaga yung nilu-look up ko sa basketball.”That is why after TIP’s basketball program was taken down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lopez continued his work of focusing on developing young talent, this time with his own platform: MLO Basketball.“It’s for everyone, male female, kids aged 8-19 years old. Ngayon meron akong 10-19 years old,” he shared of his own camp which focuses on helping the youth develop and hone their skills the right way.“Ngayon, importante sa akin na ako naman ang mag coach ngayon kasi gusto ko naman tulungan yung next generation, and at the same time, tulungan rin sila sa adversities ng buhay nila,” he added.Lopez already paved the way for his players to gain better exposure, as one of his squads competed in the Junior MPBL among other leagues.And aside from passing on the lessons he got from de Vera and his past experiences, Lopez is also immersing himself further into the mentoring side of things.He previously attended coaching clinics both in the Philippines — one that was led by the likes of Barangay Ginebra’s Tim Cone, NLEX’s Jong Uichico, and FEU’s Sean Chambers — and in the US wherein he joined tacticians from the NBA and the WNBA.“Sa akin kasi, ang coaching is not only about drawing up plays,” he said. “It’s about mentoring and guiding. Kailangan ng discipline on-and-off the court. Dapat maayos yung buhay ng bata not just on the basketball court, but also off of it.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/8/29/ph-s-next-basketball-stars-to-take-stage-in-inaugural-pybc-2110">READ: PH’s next basketball stars to take stage in inaugural PYBC</a></div>Lopez’s next gig is leading his MLO Basketball in the upcoming Philippine Youth Basketball Championship which tips off in September.

“Since I was a player before, gusto ko namang mag give back para doon sa mga nagturo rin sa akin."

“Since I was a player before, gusto ko namang mag give back para doon sa mga nagturo rin sa akin."

Ex-college hoops star Mark Lopez now focused on molding next gen of PH cagers

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Ex-college hoops star Mark Lopez now focused on molding next gen of PH cagers

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 30, 2025 07:48 PM PHT

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